‘Suspect down’ after California mass shooting — police

First responders attend to people outside a Southern California social services center in San Bernardino, where one or more gunmen opened fire, shooting multiple people on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. AP

SAN BERNARDINO, United States — A suspect in the mass shooting that killed at least 14 people in California on Wednesday is “down” after trading gunfire with police, authorities said.

“I know there is an active scene, there were shots fired and a suspect is down,” Sergeant Vicki Cervantes of San Bernardino Police told reporters.

A body could be seen near a bullet-riddled SUV, with dozens of police vehicles swarming around, according to live television footage.

Bomb disposal experts could be seen surrounding the vehicle and fanning out across the neighborhood in a large-scale police operation.

“There is an active scene unfolding in San Bernardino. Preliminary info is a suspect is down, officers are ok. Not confirmed if related,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department tweeted.

Cervantes said it was not known if any officers were hit in the exchange of fire.

“I know all officers are okay. Whether or not they were struck I don’t know.”

Police said earlier that up to three people had entered a center for the disabled in San Bernardino, killing at least 14 people before fleeing the scene in a dark colored car.

Courts, city and county buildings in the surrounding area were locked down as a manhunt unfolded for the suspects.